Linearization of Chains and Sideward Movement (Linguistic Inquiry Monographs) - Softcover

Nunes, Jairo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0262640554 ISBN 13: 9780262640558

Publisher: MIT Press, 2004

Synopsis

This highly original monograph treats movement operations within the Minimalist Program. Jairo Nunes argues that traces are not grammatical primitives and that their properties follow from deeper features of the system, and, in particular, that the phonetic realization of traces is determined by linearization computations coupled with economy conditions regarding deletion. He proposes a version of the copy theory of movement according to which movement must be construed as a description of the interaction of the independent operations Copy, Merge, Form Chain, and Chain Reduction. Empirical evidence to support this claim includes instances of "sideward movement" between subtrees in a derivation. According to this analysis, the linearization of chains in the phonological component constrains sideward movement so that it is possible to account for standard properties of multiple gap constructions, including parasitic gap and ATB constructions, without construction-specific operations or principles that are not independently motivated. Theoretical linguists will find Linearization of Chains and Sideward Movement of great interest both theoretically and empirically. The version of the copy theory of movement proposed by Nunes will stir debate and shape future research in the field.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

"This book is a glorious example of high theory and its rich empirical implications. I consider it an example of syntactic analysis at its best. Every serious syntactician will have to read and react to this work. It is the most original and interesting work on syntax that I have read in recent years." --Norbert Hornstein, Professor of Linguistics, University of Maryland, College Park

"Nunes is driven by the desire to examine linguistic phenomena at the deepest level. Gathering ideas from the Minimalist Program and Kayne's Linear Correspondence Axiom, he explains with great insight why movement structures have their particular form, with rich empirical consequences for many languages." --David W. Lightfoot, Dean, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Georgetown University

"This groundbreaking work investigates properties of movement, traces, and chains in the context of the Minimalist Program, making a strong case for the copy theory of movement and the Minimalist Program more generally. It is an impressive achievement on both the theoretical and the empirical level -- a must-read for any syntactician." --Zeljko Boskovic, Department of Linguistics, University of Connecticut

About the Author:

Jairo Nunes is Associate Professor of Linguistics at the State University of Campinas, Brazil.

About this edition

• Publisher: MIT Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0262640554
• ISBN 13: 9780262640558
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 210